DeSantis slams ‘false media narrative’ over state’s response to illegal immigration
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted “false media narrative” about illegal immigration after a report showed the state has seen economic growth despite outcry that Florida is less welcoming State laws on immigration can have the opposite effect.
DeSantis on Tuesday responded to a Washington Examiner report on positive economic results in Florida. Florida’s gross domestic product grew 3.2% from the first quarter of 2024 to the second quarter of 2024, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, while it increased from October 2023 to October 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics creating approximately 133,000 jobs.
DeSantis wrote on Disfavoring illegal immigration, rather than combating illegal immigration.
The narrative DeSantis referred to includes dire predictions from Democrats and some in the media that getting tough on illegal immigration will only hurt Florida’s economy by preventing illegal immigrants from taking essential jobs that Americans don’t want to do.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks about the Turnpike Relief Plan during a press conference at the Greater Miami Highway Department on April 1, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Reddell/Getty Images, File)
In May 2023, DeSantis signed a law that included a provision requiring hospitals to collect and submit data on the cost of providing health care to illegal immigrants, meaning they must ask patients about their immigration status.
DeSantis told Hannity in June that the law was tied to declining Medicaid spending.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attends a driver meeting at Daytona International Speedway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida . (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images, File)
“We made sure that when someone came to the hospital we asked about immigration status, and that resulted in a 50% drop in Medicaid spending,” he said.
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The May data DeSantis mentioned at the time showed that spending on Florida’s Emergency Medical Assistance Program fell to $67 million from FY23 to FY24, a drop of more than 50%.
While patients are not forced to answer, campaigners warn it could have a chilling effect on immigrants seeking medical care. Under federal law, illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid, but states are required to provide care during emergencies.
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The bill signed by DeSantis also includes other provisions aimed at making Florida less welcoming to illegal immigrants. These include mandatory E-Verify, a ban on NGOs and local governments issuing ID cards to illegal immigrants, revoking the licenses of employers who hire illegal immigrants, and more funding for transportation programs that move illegal immigrants to “sanctuary” jurisdictions .
Fox News Digital’s Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
